the governor from massachusetts, governor romney entering from the left. to give you an idea of the setting here, about 1,000 people inside this debate hall, when it starts. look behind the cameras tonight. we're inside a hockey arena that normally seats 8,000 but they've created this intimate setting as tens of millions watch from their living rooms tonight. when president obama and mitt romney walk onto that stage tonight, it will be the first time they've met face to face in four years. last time, during the presidential race in 2008, during those back-to-back democratic and republican presidential debates during the primaries when candidates from both sides were called on the stage, it was senator obama and governor romney talking. the president congratulated romney when he clinched the republican nomination and this moment in 2007, a labor day parade in 2007. >> good luck to you today. >> reporter: but tonight, they will shake hands in front of millions watching, before debating each other for the first time. in a format that is more free wheeling, no